Growing Up: A series of One shots for Planty PG-13 Hu/Fluff

**Plantman** · Posted: Sat Dec 24, 2005 8:10 pm Post subject:

That was so lovely, I really love the way you've described Nozomi's character, has a lot from her father and her mother in herself. And of course, Yuriko submits to her girl's wishes of baking cookies, that makes up for a really cute scene with Yuriko.
_________________

Hecha en MÉXICO - Avatar by Me.
"Logic is the Ultimate Weapon."

Neko · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2006 6:57 pm Post subject:

Nozomi looked around to yard, making sure she was alone and in a quiet place. Even though her dad wasn’t there to help her with her training, she had finally gotten to the point where she did the small warm ups and patterns on her own accord.

“There is nothing more important then breathing,” her father told her once. “Even though you’re only four and a half, knowing the right times to control your breathing will keep you from doing something you shouldn’t. If you’re unsure about something, stop, breathe, then think about it again. If it still doesn’t seem as if it would be a smart thing to do, then don’t do it.”

Nozomi stood still and took in steady breaths through her nose and let them out of her mouth, just like her father told her too. She wrinkled her nose as she smelled the mulch that had been put in their neighbor’s garden the day before. She didn’t like the smell.

In. Out. In. Out. Just like daddy had told her. Keep it even and calm.

She cracked an eye open to see what was going on around her as she breathed. There was a small caterpillar crawling over a leaf. She continued to breathe, but slowly she became more and more fascinated with the insect, rather then her martial arts training.

It crawled off the leaf and onto the ground and slowly attempted its way up another leaf, right in front of Nozomi. She abandoned her training and squatted down to look at it with big, curious eyes. “Hello,” she told it. “Is that hard?”

It pushed its self up, tried to grab onto the leaf then fell back when it couldn’t get any grip. But instead of walking away it continued to attempt the same task, over and over.

Nozomi smiled, “That leaf is too high off the ground for you, bug. You are gonna fall.”

It paid no attention to the girl, but instead it continued to try and climb up the leaf only to fail several more times.

Nozomi laughed outright on the tenth try and in doing so the small insect fell off the leaf and trembled on the ground. Nozomi’s expression turned somber and she cradled the pitiful creature in her hands. “I’m sorry,” she murmured and sat up. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

It uncurled and slowly began to walk over her hands. The tickling sensation it gave her made her giggle loudly but she didn’t do anything to pull her hands away. “You’re funny,” she told it.

It continued to walk over her spread out hands, and when it reached the end of one side it merely turned around and started it’s march to the other side.

“There’s not much room,” he noted. “Sorry.”

It reached the other side, then turned around again, as if determined to find a way off of her hands to find another place to climb.

Nozomi finally tired of the marching insect and set it on a leaf of a plant fairly high off the ground. “There you go,” she cooed at it.

It marched on the leaf, then it walked off of the leaf. Nozomi gasped but noted that it was still connected to the leaf by an almost transparent silken thread that was just enough for its weight.

She blinked then suddenly she remembered the training that she was supposed to be doing. With a nod she turned back to her breathing exercises.

Slowly she started simple punches and kicks. Not hard ones, because her father refused to teach her past the level she was at now. She didn’t mind though, because her mother and father had told her that a strong foundation would do her far more good then any level she could achieve.

Of course she had absolutely no idea what this meant, but it sounded like good advice so she decided to follow it.

After she was done with her simple kicks and punches she returned to the leaf to find that the caterpillar wasn’t there anymore, but a soft, white, squishy thing hung from the plant. She blinked, poked it once, then left it alone, deciding that it seemed important.

“Nozomi, dinner!” her mom called.

Nozomi stood up and grinned. “Coming!” she called back and ran into the house.

It had been a very fulfilling day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is a small one. Next year though you all get a suprise XD
_________________
Roses are #FF0000, violets are #0000FF. All my base are belong to you.

Avatar, credit Yakitate@devart

Midnight · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2006 7:37 pm Post subject:

Wow. It seems you like the use of allegory very much...

I especially enjoyed the symbolism embodied in the metamorphosing caterpillar in this chapter--it does so much to remind us that Nozomi herself is going through a metamorphosis, albeit not physically. It'd probably quite nice to see it carried all the way through--when the butterfly emerges from its cocoon as an adult.

Another great job Neko.
_________________
Today, these three players are after Big Bucks! But they'll have to avoid the Whammy, as they play the most exciting game of their lives! From Television City in Hollywood! It's time to 'Press Your Luck!'--Rod Roddy

The Kingdom of Loathing: An Adventurer is You! // I ♣ Seals

Avatar by Spork. I very much appreciate it! <3

Unknown Neo · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2006 7:37 pm Post subject:

Ow, the cuteness... I mean wow the cuteness. Great job neko, really just great.

**Plantman** · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2006 10:04 pm Post subject:

Aww that was a cute chapter. Nozomi is shapping up to be really so much like her parents. And still, as curious of the world around her as any child of her age. Lovely ficcie, Neko /o/
_________________

Hecha en MÉXICO - Avatar by Me.
"Logic is the Ultimate Weapon."

Ginrei · Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 2:58 am Post subject:

Wahahahaaa! Next chapter suprise = [spoil:b38d13d596]sibliiing! A little brother or something,[/spoil:b38d13d596] right? Right? Hehee, it'd be cuuuuuute.
By the way, this 'fic = <3. Absolute love.
Even if we didn't get to see the butterfly, it was still very good. Them caterpillars are persistant little buggers, aren't they? I got the feeling that persistance was more of the symbolism behind the bug than metamorphosis was. Was I right?
(Oooh, I stalk this forum simply for this 'fic... hah!)

Wackoman.EXE · Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2006 11:05 am Post subject:

Nozomi talking to a caterpillar was adorable and the symbology with the metamorphosis was fantastic. Another great year. What age do you plan to take Nozomi to?
_________________

Transcendent Super Spiral Dreadnought Gunmen

Kitty-Chan · Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 5:59 pm Post subject:

You should have Netto, Enzan, & Laika watch over her some, or maybe introduce her to Maki-chan. That way, they can both terrorize hapless Net Savior babysitters. Laughing

_________________
Need more Zero/X, Netto/Rock, Rock/Netto, Forte/Netto, & Blues/Netto. PLEASE!
Ano sa...could someone please make me a Zero/X, Blues/Netto, or Forte/Netto avatar/banner? I would greatly appreciate it...
Thanks for the avatar, Mandi!
People! We need more Blues/Netto & Forte/Netto on the net. Come on; help me out here! *gives everyone her Super-Adorable Irrisistable Sad Kitty Eyes(TM)*

Neko · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 6:34 pm Post subject:

I'mma take this one down. Planty and I want to revise some things together and work out Nozomi's navi.

I'll continue this when we've planned out some things. Thanks for your patience o/
_________________
Roses are #FF0000, violets are #0000FF. All my base are belong to you.

Avatar, credit Yakitate@devart

Kitty-Chan · Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 8:56 pm Post subject:

All right, but just so you know, this fic is great.
_________________
Need more Zero/X, Netto/Rock, Rock/Netto, Forte/Netto, & Blues/Netto. PLEASE!
Ano sa...could someone please make me a Zero/X, Blues/Netto, or Forte/Netto avatar/banner? I would greatly appreciate it...
Thanks for the avatar, Mandi!
People! We need more Blues/Netto & Forte/Netto on the net. Come on; help me out here! *gives everyone her Super-Adorable Irrisistable Sad Kitty Eyes(TM)*